The Effects Acromegaly, aka Gigantism

Acromegaly

A nine year old girl is seemingly healthy and normal but by the time this nine year old child is 16 her facial features and hands appear oddly large, and by the time this child reaches her 30's her bodily features appear all too gigantic for her body and age, having received too much of a growth hormone this once healthy, normal child now suffers from what is called Acromegaly.

What is Acromegaly?

Acromegaly is the enlargement of extremities (hands, and feet) as well as the enlargement or coarsening of facial features..

What causes Acromegaly?

Acromegaly is a disorder of the endocrine system. It is when the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain) produces an excess amount of growth hormone (which can be caused by a benign tumor, known as an adenoma) after puberty has ended. The growth hormone supports the growth of bone, organs, cartilage, and muscles as well as other tissues, and when this hormone is produced in excess, the extremities become much enlarged, proving a detriment to health and life such conditions as diabetes and heart problems can occur. Excess amounts of growth hormone during childhood (puberty) can create a condition known as gigantism.

What are the symptoms of Acromegaly?

Gradual enlargement of the hands and feet and facial features

Shoe and ring size may change throughout the course of time.

Increase in chest size

Swelling of tissues

Muscle weakness or fatigue

Headaches

Disturbance in vision

Mood swings

Aches in joints

Sleep apnea

Skin tags

Deepened voice

Thick, coarse oily skin

Arthritis

Increase incidence of colon polyps

Abnormal menstrual cycles in women

Impotence in men

Facial features become coarse

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Sweating

Sinus Congestion

Who is susceptible to Acromegaly?

Middle aged adults (both male and female) are more susceptible to Acromegaly than any other groups of people.

How is Acromegaly diagnosed?

Acromegaly is quite often hard to diagnose because its symptoms are gradual, as in the case with the nine year old girl. A series of lab tests and imaging studies (MRI, and CT) are conducted to properly diagnose a person with the disease.